As we celebrate our nation’s independence, let’s take a look at some of the fireworks the New York Yankees have produced throughout their history.
The New York Yankees celebrate a long standing tradition of excellence which they take with them every Independence Day. Fittingly enough, some stand-out moments in their storied history have taken place on a day in which citizens throughout the country celebrate their freedom.
Whether it be a milestone, a speech, or a notable game, all of the July 4th successes go to show the rich history the franchise possesses.
Usually donning their red caps as they display a symbol of the country’s freedom, their play has not been hampered by any stretch. In fact, their ability to create storylines on a national holiday has gone a long way in upholding baseball’s name as America’s national pastime.
With that said, let’s take a look at the five most significant moments in Yankee history that have taken place on this wondrous day.
5. Bill Dickey Socks Carl Reynolds — 1932
One of the greatest Yankee catchers to ever live, Bill Dickey knew how to play the game the right way. His .313/.382/.486 slash in a brilliant 17-year career in the Bronx backed it up. An 11-time all-star and an eight-time world series champion, he generally had his way.
However, in the midst of a brilliant 1932 campaign he let his temper get the best of him.
Carl Reynolds of the Washington Senators collided with Dickey on a bang-bang play at the plate and let’s just say the Yankee catcher did not take it in the most graceful fashion.
He proceeded to clock Reynolds in the face, breaking his jaw in the process. This version of July 4th fireworks cost the backstop 30 days of playing and $1,000 which, by the way, was worth a lot more back then.
4. Phil Niekro Records 3,000th Strikeout — 1984
Independence Day in 1984 featured a significant milestone for an ageless wonder. A 45-year-old knuckleballer and an immortal in that regard, Phil Niekro toed the rubber for the Bombers.
In his outing he struck out Larry Parrish of the Texas Rangers to become the ninth player in baseball history to reach the 3,000 strikeout plateau.
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To this day, only 16 men have reached the mark which requires both longevity and dominance.
The right-hander ended up firing eight scoreless innings to collect his 279th career win. Eventually inducted into the hall-of-fame in 1997, he exemplified what a knuckleballer can provide to the game.
What he displayed that night was a memory the franchise will not soon forget when thinking about the day at hand.
3. George Steinbrenner Born – 1930
One of the more significant moments in Yankee history was the man referred to as “The Boss” entering the world. Little did anyone on July 4, 1930 know that the man would become one of the more controversial and beloved figures baseball has encountered. There will never be another owner that even remotely resembles him.
From purchasing the team in 1973 to his death in 2010, the team took home 11 pennants and seven world series titles. The $10 million expenditure turned out to be one of the better investments the world has ever seen.
In the midst of reintroduced success in the 1970s and a dynasty in the late 1990s, Steinbrenner did not take losing as an answer. That mentality still creeps into the minds of his kids, particularly Hal, who inherited control of the team.
Without George Steinbrenner, the Yankees may not be the Yankees we know them as. He would not stop reinforcing the idea of accepting nothing other than excellence.
2. Dave Righetti Throws No-Hitter — 1983
Left-hander Dave Righetti masterfully pitched a no-hitter against the arch-rival Boston Red Sox, becoming the first Yankee since Don Larsen (perfect game in 1956 World Series) to no-hit a team.
He struck out nine in the brilliant performance which put Yankee Stadium in an uproar. Striking out Wade Boggs to end the ballgame, Righetti completed what was a dream day in the Bronx.
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Pitching on the nation’s birthday and involved in a premier matchup with the Red Sox, he worked his way into the record books.
The outstanding display of pitching was followed by an superb display of fireworks over the East River.
1. Lou Gehrig Says Farewell
On Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day at Yankee Stadium in which the ‘Iron Horse’ had his number four retired by the organization, the former first baseman, who was battling a horrific ALS disease, stepped up the mic.
Playing up until the moment he absolutely could not, an emotional Gehrig addressed over 62,000 fans in the Bronx.
“Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about the bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth. I have been in ballparks for seventeen years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans. Look at these grand men. Which of you wouldn’t consider it the highlight of his career just to associate with them for even one day? Sure, I’m lucky. Who wouldn’t consider it an honor to have known Jacob Ruppert? Also, the builder of baseball’s greatest empire, Ed Barrow? To have spent six years with that wonderful little fellow, Miller Huggins? Then to have spent the next nine years with that outstanding leader, that smart student of psychology, the best manager in baseball today, Joe McCarthy? Sure, I’m lucky. When the New York Giants, a team you would give your right arm to beat, and vice versa, sends you a gift – that’s something. When everybody down to the groundskeepers and those boys in white coats remember you with trophies – that’s something. When you have a wonderful mother-in-law who takes sides with you in squabbles with her own daughter – that’s something. When you have a father and a mother who work all their lives so you can have an education and build your body – it’s a blessing. When you have a wife who has been a tower of strength and shown more courage than you dreamed existed – that’s the finest I know. So I close in saying that I might have been given a bad break, but I’ve got an awful lot to live for.”
Those were the exact words uttered by a true icon, resulting in a thunderous ovation at the stadium.
He would pass away just under two years after that date. The horrific disease that ended his life earned the nickname “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”, proceeding to be an illness that has completely altered the lives of many.
However, it was that Independence Day that Gehrig showed his true strength in standing up before the fans and delivering a strong message in their direction. He certainly had an “awful lot to live for”.
Emmanuel Berbari covers the New York Yankees for ESNY. Interact with him and view his daily work by “liking” his facebook page. He invites you to email your questions, comments, or concerns as well.